Summer Scouting: Blackburn Rovers' Centre-back priorities

Make sure you check out our previous instalments on the goalkeeper dilemma and full-back options.

Dom Hyam

Blackburn Rovers' Captain had a mixed season, compared to the very high standards he set in his debut campaign. He was rightly named Player of the Year in 2022/23 at Ewood Park.

Last season, Hyam suffered with an ankle injury for the second time in 12 months. He avoided surgery but it ruled him out for two months, having missed a month in January 2023 too.

He was rushed back from that problem due to Rovers' injury issues and was overstretched over Christmas, with the Hull City game a particularly poor night in which he was sent off.

However, once the team found more consistency defensively and Hyam was up to match speed, he looked more like the imposing centre-back we saw in year one. He is a leader at the back and when Rovers defend well as a team, he is usually at the heart of it.

Hyam turns 29 in December and so is entering his prime years. Eustace is a huge fan and defended the Captain vigorously after a poor night at Bristol City. He responded with a fantastic display at Leeds United.

If Rovers play a back three, Hyam looks most comfortable in the middle, where he can organise and command. He can play on either side but the centre seems his best role.

Rovers have a decision to make on Hyam, as his contract runs out next summer. There were talks back in December about renewing his terms but the January window and then staying in the division took precedence.

Hayden Carter

Injuries were an issue for Carter in 2023/24. Like Hyam, he had an up-and-down season.

Carter ended last season as a top-level Championship defender but, by his own admission, his levels dropped. The team were conceding a lot of chances and goals, putting more strain on the defence.

A hamstring injury ruled him out for 10 weeks but he played a crucial role after coming back after the March international break. His displays at Leeds and Leicester were excellent.

At 24, Carter has now established himself in the Rovers defence. He is capable of defending wide areas on the right of a back three and is excellent at carrying the ball into the opposition third to help break low blocks.

Hayden Carter's metrics via Fbref. (Image: Canva)

His biggest challenge is to continue improving defensively and find the consistency he showed in the second half of 2023/24. There is no reason why he shouldn't be a first-choice pick for Eustace next year.

Connor O'Riordan

O'Riordan's Rovers career has not really got started yet. Rovers tracked him for a long time, eventually signing him from Crewe in January. But he made only two substitute appearances in the heat of a relegation battle.

Pre-season is an opportunity for O'Riordan to show Eustace that he can make the step up. Otherwise, it makes little sense for him to be wasting valuable years of development and a loan move would be better.

There is no indication that will happen and with a good pre-season, he can be part of the picture. He has played on the right of a back three before and has the size and stature to cope with the physicality of the Championship.

He won't be first-choice but, considering he doesn't turn 21 until October, that doesn't have to be the case. What he will want is more opportunities than has been the case so far.

Kyle McFadzean

Well, we don't actually know whether McFadzean will be part of the group next season. The Lancashire Telegraph reported in May that Rovers were in talks and both parties wanted to extend his stay. He has been on holiday since and the club confirmed discussions are ongoing when they published their retained list.

For me, it's a no-brainer to keep him on. He has already shown in his six months at the club what he offers both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Considering Eustace has enjoyed switching between a three and a four, McFadzean is the perfect option in the middle of the former. He organises, reads the game and, despite being 37, has plenty left in the tank after missing some football in his formative years.

Looking from within

Rovers have a couple of up-and-coming prospects but I don't think you could hang your hat on anyone being ready for first-team responsibilities.

Pat Gamble has been on the periphery for 18 months and made his Rovers debut last season. After a few years of Under-21s football, I think a loan would suit him to play regular men's football.

Tom Atcheson is highly rated and is very comfortable on the ball. It would again be a big ask to put any expectations on him. He is only 17 and so has plenty of time to keep developing and learning.

Do Blackburn Rovers need to sign a centre-back?

Yes, absolutely. I think they need one who is experienced in the Championship and ready to plug and play, in the same way, Hyam was two years ago.

I think we have to discount Scott Wharton from this discussion. He's suffered a really serious knee injury and said himself he's targeting next pre-season to be fully fit and ready to go.

I think Rovers need five players to cover themselves across the back, unless Eustace is firm that he wants to regularly play a back three.

Dom Hyam is an experienced player but has been troubled by ankle issues in the last two seasons. McFadzean is a great player for the squad but won't play 46 matches and, at the time of writing, hasn't signed on yet. O'Riordan is a young option who can play a few and then come out.

They need someone who is around the age of 25, 26 or 27, who is ready to come in and can be relied upon. That, for me, would give a nice blend of profiles, ages and experience across the defensive line.

If McFadzean didn't stay, you'd like them to go into the market for another player of a similar profile.

Who should they sign?

Finding Championship-ready players who might be available to buy isn't an easy task.

Harry Souttar is likely to be available on loan and would be a fantastic signing. He cost £15million from Stoke City 18 months ago but has barely kicked a ball for Leicester.

The likelihood is there might be a club able to offer a better financial package than Rovers is he was available. Perhaps this one is a bit ambitious but better to try and fail than not at all.

George Edmundson would be another ambition target who might not get a chance at Ipswich after their promotion. Again, other suitors would likely be hovering around him.

In terms of free agents, Di'Shon Bernard would be a brilliant pick-up. He was fantastic for Sheffield Wednesday last season and has been offered a new deal, which he's yet to sign.

Coming from Manchester United, Bernard is good on the ball, quick and reads the game well. He is 23, so slightly lower than the ideal age range but he certainly ticks a lot of boxes. Again, I'd expect there to be lots of interest in him.

Yuta Nakayama could be an interesting stop-gap if Rovers are particularly prioritising a left-footed player in Wharton's absence. He can play left-foot too. It wouldn't be my first choice but he could fill a need in the squad.